Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 7:00 – 8:30 AM PST
Keynote Speaker: Hon. Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
Josie Osborne was elected as MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim in 2020.
She grew up on Vancouver Island and has lived in Tofino for more than 20 years, first moving there to work as a fisheries biologist for the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and later as executive director of an environmental education non-profit organization.
Since November 2020, she has previously served as minister of Municipal Affairs and minister for Land, Water and Resource Stewardship.
She has significant experience in local government, including serving as mayor of Tofino from 2013-20 and as chair and vice-chair for the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District. During her time in local government, Josie chaired the Tofino Housing Corporation and was a strong proponent for active transportation and regional transit. She has served as chair of the board for the Island Coastal Economic Trust, and in 2017, she was appointed by the B.C. minister of environment and climate change to the BC Clean Growth and Climate Action Advisory Council.
Josie studied marine biology at the University of British Columbia and completed a master’s degree in resource management at Simon Fraser University. She has worked to advance sustainable development throughout her career in public service.
Josie and her husband live in Tofino with their dog.
Moderator: Colleen Giroux Schmidt, Vice President – Corporate Relations, Innergex
Colleen Giroux-Schmidt joined Innergex in 2011. As Vice President – Corporate Relations, she leads the engagement and relationship activities with all levels of government, communities, strategic partners and other stakeholders.
Her team leads the policy research and advocacy portfolio with the goal of increasing renewable energy opportunities to help jurisdictions meet their climate change goals. Colleen continues to participate in government working groups and task forces, both provincially and federally, as well as leads Innergex’s work with the Energy Forum, a collaborative table of representatives from the ENGO community and the renewable energy industry and was appointed to the federal government’s Generation Energy Council. She has served as a renewable energy expert on different panels and has received awards for her significant expertise and contribution to the renewable energy sector both in BC and across Canada. Colleen is also responsible for the management of Innergex’s Vancouver office.
Prior to joining Innergex, Ms. Giroux-Schmidt was Director, Environment and Manager, Major Projects at Plutonic Power Corporation and worked many years for the Association of Mineral Exploration BC. She served as the first female Chair of the Board of Directors for Clean Energy BC from 2014 through 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History and English from Simon Fraser University.
Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 7:00 – 8:30 AM PST
Keynote Speaker: Hon. Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests
Bruce Ralston was first elected MLA for Surrey-Whalley in 2005. He previously served as the minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and as minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology.
Ralston brings his understanding of trade and technology to the key priorities of the ministry, which include supporting the implementation of CleanBC – the government’s plan for climate action – and innovation in the clean technology sector.
Ralston was born in Victoria and grew up in Vancouver. He has degrees in history and law from the University of British Columbia and a degree in history from the University of Cambridge in England. Previously, he was a practicing lawyer for many years.
Moderator: Linda Coady, President and CEO, BC Council of Forest Industries
Linda Coady joined the BC Council of Forest Industries on July 18, 2022 as the President and CEO.
Prior to joining COFI, Linda was the Executive Director of the Pembina Institute. Her other roles prior to that was Chief Sustainability Officer for Enbridge Inc., Vice-President of Sustainability for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Vice-President of the Pacific Region for World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Canada, and Vice-President of Environmental Affairs for the BC Coastal Group of Weyerhaeuser Canada.
Linda has also been a Distinguished Fellow at the Liu Institute for Global Issues at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and has taught corporate social responsibility at UBC’s Sauder School of Business. She has served on several advisory groups to different levels of government on climate and energy issues, including as a member of the City of Vancouver’s 2009 “Greenest City” Task Force, the 2015 Advisory Panel to the Province of Alberta on Climate Leadership, and the 2018 Generation Energy Council to the Government of Canada. She was recently appointed to Canada’s Net-Zero Advisory Body, which provides independent advice to the federal government on meeting requirements under Canada’s new Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act.
Moderator: Lennard Joe, CEO, RPF, BC First Nations Forestry Council
Lennard Joe, (Traditional name of Suxwsxwwels, meaning Grizzly Man) brings over 30 years of natural resources and business experience into his current roles. He is a Registered Professional Forester and a member of the Nlaka’pamux First Nation. Lennard is actively involved in developing new businesses and opportunities in the resource sector within his territory as well as throughout Canada and the world. Living in balance Lennard carries the corporate knowledge of his nation and continues to practice its protocols and traditions. His role as an Indigenous Professional Forester has opened doors in Indigenous Governance, Provincial and Federal government, Industry, Academia, and Forest Certification.
Friday, September 22, 2023 at 7:00 – 8:30 AM PST
Keynote Speaker: Hon. Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Nathan Cullen was elected MLA for Stikine in the 2020 provincial election.
He previously served as minister of Municipal Affairs, minister of state for Lands and Natural Resource Operations, as chair of the Environment and Land Use Committee and a member of the Cabinet Committee on Economy.
Nathan proudly served as Member of Parliament for the riding of Skeena-Bulkley Valley for 15 years, from 2004 to 2019. He is a strong advocate for the residents of Northern BC and has worked throughout his career to promote sustainable development.
During his time in Ottawa, Nathan was recognized multiple times by his peers at the Maclean’s Parliamentarian of the Year Awards. He also served as Official Opposition House Leader and held critic roles for Finance, Natural Resources, Environment, Ethics, and Democratic Reform.
Nathan has worked to encourage the participation of young people in politics and public policy and has supported young entrepreneurs in the Northwest in starting and growing their businesses.
Nathan has run a consulting business specializing in strategic planning and conflict resolution. He has previously worked in international development in Africa and South America.
He lives with his wife and twin sons in Smithers.
Moderator: Nalaine Morin, Vice President of Sustainability, Skeena Resources
Ms. Morin has extensive technical experience in both mining and environmental assessment processes, and is well known for her work to build positive relationships that recognize the role of Indigenous Nations in decision making on Indigenous Lands. Prior to joining Skeena, she was the Lands Director for the Tahltan Central Government. Ms. Morin has been recognized for her leadership as recipient of the 2021 Skookum Jim Award, 2018 Indigenous Trailblazer Award and the 2018 Aura Award. She is also a board member of BC Hydro. Ms. Morin is a nationally recognized professional that has managed environmental reviews of several large resource development projects on behalf of Indigenous Nations. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from the University of British Columbia and a Mechanical Engineering Technology Diploma from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.